Disposable telephone numbers

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed that provide disposable numbers for a conference service. A disposable number is assigned to a conference bridge that is only activated for a defined period of time, after which the disposable number is disposed and deactivated. A call is received to the disposable number, and the call is routed to the conference bridge. A database is queried that associates the disposable number to a subscriber's number. Subscriber information is retrieved that describes when a conference bridge subscription is active. If the conference bridge subscription is active, then a caller is connected to the conference bridge. If the conference bridge subscription is inactive, then the caller is prompted to pay for a conference service.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method, comprising:
 assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge, wherein the disposable number is associated with a subscriber phone number; 
 associating the conference bridge to a period of time of activation that the conference bridge is active; 
 determining an expiration of the period of time of activation that the conference bridge is active; 
 disposing of the disposable number in response to the expiration of the period of time of activation; 
 receiving, after the expiration of the period of time of activation, a call from a calling number of a caller to the disposable number; 
 determining the conference bridge is inactive for a current day and time of the call; and 
 prompting the caller to pay for a conference service by routing the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving a rule associated with the disposable number. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising receiving payment for the conference service. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising abandoning the call if payment is declined. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising querying a database that associates the disposable number to the subscriber phone number. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving an announcement associated with the disposable number. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising retrieving a distinctive ring associated with the disposable number. 
     
     
       8. A memory device storing instructions that when executed causes a computer to perform operations, the operations comprising:
 assigning a disposable number to a conference bridge; 
 associating the conference bridge to a defined period of time of activation, after which the conference bridge is deactivated; 
 associating the disposable number to a subscriber phone number; 
 expiring the defined period of time of activation that the conference bridge is active; 
 inactivating the conference bridge upon expiration of the defined period of time of activation; 
 disposing of the disposable number upon the expiration of the defined period of time of activation; 
 receiving, after the expiration of the defined period of time of activation, a call from a calling number of a caller to the disposable number; 
 determining the conference bridge is inactive for a current day and time of the call; and 
 prompting the caller to pay for a conference service by routing the call to the conference bridge in response to the conference bridge being inactive. 
 
     
     
       9. The memory device according to  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise retrieving an announcement associated with the disposable number. 
     
     
       10. The memory device according to  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a distinctive ring associated with the disposable number. 
     
     
       11. The memory device according to  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a rule associated with the disposable number. 
     
     
       12. The memory device according to  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise abandoning the call when payment is declined for the conference service. 
     
     
       13. The memory device according to  claim 8 , wherein the operations further comprise retrieving times during which the call is not desired.